Where to start
All Creatures Great and Small
2 versions · originally a book, 1970
Themes: Animal Welfare, Rural Life, Community, Veterinary Medicine, Friendship.
These stories chronicle the heartwarming, humorous, and challenging life of a country veterinarian tending to animals and people in rural Yorkshire.
✦ Most fans start here
All Creatures Great and Small (1970)
The original novel
✦ Start hereAll Creatures Great and Small
Alf Wight, as James Herriot · Book · 1970
The 1970 book serves as the foundation, offering Alf Wight’s intimate, observational prose that captures the authentic spirit and quiet beauty of life in a small Yorkshire veterinary practice.
1978 series
All Creatures Great and Small
Bill Sellars · Series · 1978
The 1978 television series provides a visual, episodic adaptation that brings the Darrowby landscape to life, perfectly suited for viewers who prefer character-driven drama portrayed through classic British television storytelling.
Common questions
Is All Creatures Great and Small based on a book?
Yes, the television series is based on the 1970 book titled All Creatures Great and Small. The original text serves as the foundation for the screen adaptations, capturing the experiences of a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales.
When was the first All Creatures Great and Small television series released?
The television adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small was first released in 1978. This version brought the narratives from the 1970 book to the screen, establishing the long-standing popularity of the story for television audiences.
Should I read the 1970 book All Creatures Great and Small before watching the 1978 show?
Reading the 1970 book All Creatures Great and Small before watching the 1978 television adaptation provides helpful context for the characters and setting. Both versions offer distinct ways to experience the original story, though neither is strictly required to enjoy the other.
Is the 1978 All Creatures Great and Small the only television adaptation?
The 1978 series is the primary television adaptation referenced in relation to the 1970 book All Creatures Great and Small. It remains the most recognized screen version of the source material originally published by James Herriot.